How to make Binoculars with Toilet paper tubes

Today we made binoculars. Here are the things you'll need. Fun paper, paper cutter, double sided tape, two toilet paper tubes, Crop a dile*, two eyelets*, Scissors and ribion. * if you don't have these things you don't HAVE to have them, just skip that part.
Measure the tubes and cut to the length of the tubes. I used a 12x12 paper. Then with the double sided tape you'll put it on all edged and then in the middle.. if you look closely you can see how I've done it below. Take tubes and line up with paper, place down and roll evenly, once you get so that they are fairly close together you'll want to take some more tape and place between them to keep the tubes close to one another.Then you will take the crop a dile and putting a hole on each side of the Binoculars and then putting the eyelets in place. This will help the ribbon from ripping the tubes and from coming apart. Next cut ribbon to size, put through eyelet and tie a knot... You now have your own Binoculars!!! When dealing with smaller children you MUST keep an eye as the ribbon and eyelets could be a choking hazards. With old kids they can help make them! Have fun! Would love to know if you try it out!

Fun with Puzzles...

I found this great puzzle at Micheal's craft store... I got the fun of painting it and Gabriel got the fun of playing with it. I painted the spot where each animal goes to help identify where each one should go. Toddlers have a hard enough time trying to get the shape to fit why make it harder then it needs to be. It give toddlers confidence to be able to finish a project.

A special something for a Special Girl!!!

My Niece Turned 5 last May 23rd. She is an amazing girl. She is a mini mama, toting around a baby doll with her where ever she goes. She is going to make the worlds greatest mama someday, all thanks to her wonderful Mother Kathrine! Is Kenzie the cutest!
For her birthday I decided to make her an apron and got a few cooking things to go with it; mixing bowl, spatula, oven mitt, measuring cups and cookie mix. She will need her mothers help but I have a feeling that she is going to love it!

Here is a picture of Blake showing off her cousins apron. It is a bit big, even for Blake (who is 7), but that will give her room to grow and enjoy it longer.

Nick The Spider....

About a month ago I noticed a spider of great size in the corner of my dinning room. Being super wacky about spiders I thought, if he moves, he's a goner. The spider stayed put, and became a fixture of the dinning room. Catching the bugs that fly in from outside, he was a keeper. One morning at breakfast we as a family voted to name our spider. Blake was the first with a name and NICK it was!
This morning Nick was gone. We were sad. Later this evening I found Nick. He had found a new spot by the front door. I was happy to share with the family once I had found him. I sure hope Nick doesn't invite any of his friends in, I don't think I can handle any other spiders!

I am hoping Nick will stick around long enough to have Blake write a story about him. I think it would be a great Summer project. I will update you on her story in a few weeks.

LOST IT ALL....

My laptop broke in half and I lost EVERYTHING...... all pictures... all documents... all videos... I am sooo sad!!!

REMEMBER TO BACK UP what you have!!!!! Laptops are great to be able to carry with you on the go.. but like my favorite movie Duplex with Ben Stiller they can easily be "trashed".

Back to blogging soon, once I get used to this new laptop.

Daisy Chain

Today we went to the park and decided to sit down in the grass to admire what a wonderful day it was. As most people do we started pulling blades of grass until I noticed a big patch of daisies. I remembered back in the day when I used to make daisy chains. I challenged my memory to see if I could still make one. What do ya know I still can! Something fun to do while taking a relaxing break and a neat little souvenir of the adventure at the park. I found this neat little demo on how to make them. Enjoy!

1000 Cranes

"A crane standing amidst a flock of chickens"

My nephews where having a cultural fair a few weeks back and I helped make some of the thousand cranes. My S. daughter helped make a few. It took her a few tries but she got it and took off with it. Here is a link on how to fold a paper crane http://monkey.org/~aidan/origami/crane/ . Give a few tries before you give up, patience is key!